Preventing Foot Problems

Since most foot problems are caused by abuse and neglect, there are many things you can do to help prevent problems.

Medical visits

• Report any foot pain or discomfort to your doctor. Your feet are not supposed to hurt.

• If you are a diabetic, be sure to have a foot checkup at least once a year.

Exercise and your feet

• Wear appropriate, properly fitted athletic shoes when you exercise.

• Walk often. Walking is the best exercise for your feet. It also contributes to your general health by improving circulation, contributing to weight control and promoting all-around well-being.

• Emphasize proper technique and basic movement skills in all sports, especially in children younger than age 10.

• Warm up before participating in sports, at any age.

• Vary your sports. (Experts say that children who concentrate on a single sport at too young an age are more likely to develop injuries of the foot and ankle. Save specialization in sports for the late teens.)

• Listen to your body: limit exercise if you have pain in your feet or ankles.

• Avoid walking barefoot on dirty pavements or littered ground. It can expose feet to painful skin infections, splinters and lacerations.

Buying footwear

• Shop for shoes in the afternoon. Your feet tend to swell during the day, and it's best to buy shoes to fit you then.

• Have your feet measured every time you purchase shoes.

• Have your feet measured while you're standing.

• Try shoes on both feet. Many people have one foot larger than the other. It's best to fit the larger one.

• Realize that high-heels, pointy-toed shoes and certain other dictates of fashion can harm your feet. If you must wear them, do so infrequently and for short periods of time.

• Recognize the signs of ill-fitting shoes. (For example, corns and calluses are caused by friction from skin rubbing against bony areas of the feet, usually caused by shoes that don't fit properly.)

• It's best to have more than one pair of shoes and alternate wearing them to avoid rapid deterioration of the shoes.

• The condition of the shoe is more important than the price tag or brand name.

• Excessive wearing of the outsole, loss of shoe counter support, or wearing out in the midsole indicates it's time to replace the shoes.

Toenail tips

• Trim your toenails straight across with clippers specially designed for the purpose.

Leave toenails slightly longer than the tips of your toes.

Related Articles Young Feet, Old Feet Glossary of Terms for Foot Problems Anatomy of Your Feet Typical Foot Problems Foot Problems as Symptoms and Warning Signs Foot Care Providers

External Sources American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons American Podiatric Medical Association

This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.

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